types of attachment

• Secure attachment (Type B)
• Secure attachment babies explore happily but regularly go back to their caregiver (proximity-seeking and secure-base behaviour)
• Secure babies usually show moderate separation distress and moderate stranger anxiety
• Securely attached babies require and accept comfort from the caregiver in the reunion stage
• About 60-75% of British babies are classified as secure
• Insecure-avoidant attachment (Type A)
• Insecure-avoidant babies


  • Explore freely but do not seek proximity or show secure-base behaviour
  • Show little or no reaction when their caregiver leaves and little stranger anxiety
  • Make little effort to make contact when the caregiver returns and may even avoid such contact
• About 20-25% of British babies are classified as insecure-avoidant
• Insecure-resistant attachment (Type C)

  • Seek greater proximity than others and so explore less
  • Show high levels of stranger and separation distress but they resist comfort when reunited with their caregiver
• Around 3% of British babies are classified as insecure-resistant